1 Chronicles 12:23 kjv
And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD.
1 Chronicles 12:23 nkjv
Now these were the numbers of the divisions that were equipped for war, and came to David at Hebron to turn over the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD:
1 Chronicles 12:23 niv
These are the numbers of the men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul's kingdom over to him, as the LORD had said:
1 Chronicles 12:23 esv
These are the numbers of the divisions of the armed troops who came to David in Hebron to turn the kingdom of Saul over to him, according to the word of the LORD.
1 Chronicles 12:23 nlt
These are the numbers of armed warriors who joined David at Hebron. They were all eager to see David become king instead of Saul, just as the LORD had promised.
1 Chronicles 12 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 13:14 | "...but now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for himself a man after his own heart..." | God rejects Saul; chooses David |
| 1 Sam 15:28 | "...The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you." | Saul's kingdom transferred |
| 1 Sam 16:1 | "...Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons." | God's anointing of David |
| 2 Sam 2:4 | "And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah..." | David crowned king in Hebron |
| 2 Sam 3:9-10 | "...as the Lord has sworn to David, saying, ‘From Saul’s house I will transfer the kingdom, and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah...’" | Divine promise to transfer kingdom |
| 2 Sam 5:1 | "Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, 'Behold, we are your bone and flesh.'" | Israel unites under David in Hebron |
| 2 Sam 5:3 | "So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them..." | Covenant established at Hebron |
| 1 Chron 10:14 | "...He did not inquire of the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David..." | Saul's fall and kingdom transfer |
| 1 Chron 11:3 | "...King David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel..." | David's anointing in Hebron confirmed |
| 1 Chron 17:11-12 | "...I will raise up your offspring after you... and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for Me..." | Davidic covenant of enduring kingdom |
| Ps 89:3-4 | "...‘I have made a covenant with My chosen one; I have sworn to David My servant: I will establish your offspring forever...’" | God's eternal covenant with David |
| Ps 89:20 | "I have found David, My servant; with My holy oil I have anointed him," | God's anointing of David |
| Isa 46:10 | "...My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose..." | God's sovereign will fulfilled |
| Num 23:19 | "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it?..." | God's faithfulness to His word |
| Deut 18:18 | "...and I will put My words in his mouth..." | Prophet receives God's word |
| Jer 23:5 | "...I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He shall reign as king..." | Prophecy of Messiah, David's heir |
| Lk 1:32-33 | "...The Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever..." | Christ inheriting David's throne |
| Acts 2:30 | "Being therefore a prophet... he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption." | David's prophecy points to Christ |
| Rom 15:8 | "...Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs..." | God's promises fulfilled in Christ |
| Heb 1:1-2 | "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son..." | God reveals His will and fulfillment |
| Eph 1:11 | "...in Christ we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will..." | God's sovereign plan |
| Rev 11:15 | "...The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ..." | Ultimate fulfillment of God's sovereign reign |
1 Chronicles 12 verses
1 Chronicles 12 23 Meaning
This verse serves as an introductory summary to the following detailed list of tribal divisions and their warriors. It states that the specified numbers of armed men gathered in Hebron with a clear, divinely mandated purpose: to transfer the kingship from Saul's house to David, thereby fulfilling the Lord's prophetic declaration concerning David's ascent to the throne of Israel. It underscores that this crucial shift in leadership was not merely a political maneuver but a direct act of God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His word.
1 Chronicles 12 23 Context
1 Chronicles chapter 12 focuses on the warriors and leaders from various tribes who rallied to David's cause, initially during his time at Ziklag while he was pursued by Saul, and later more extensively at Hebron. Verse 23 specifically serves as the general heading for the detailed enumeration of the fighting men (from verses 24-40) who assembled at Hebron to make David king over all Israel. Historically, this gathering occurs after Saul's death and a seven-year period where David reigned only over Judah from Hebron, while Saul's son Ish-bosheth reigned over the other tribes. The Chronicler emphasizes the broad, unified support for David from across Israel, attributing this mass movement directly to divine orchestrations. The intent is to establish David's kingship as divinely appointed and legitimate, contrasting with Saul's rejected reign, and demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant promises concerning the Davidic line.
1 Chronicles 12 23 Word analysis
- These are the numbers: (Hebrew: אֵלֶּה מִסְפַּר - `elleh mispar`, "these the number of"). This phrase indicates a formal record or census, highlighting the organized and substantial force. It implies authenticity and precision in the enumeration that follows, lending weight to the support David received.
- divisions of the armed men: (Hebrew: צִבְאֹות הֶחָלוּץ - `tziv'ot hechalutz`, "armies of the armed/equipped"). "Divisions" denotes structured military units, not a haphazard mob. "Armed men" (or "equipped for war") signifies trained and prepared warriors, capable of engaging in battle. This emphasizes the formidable nature and military readiness of the contingent assembling around David.
- who came to David: Signifies a voluntary allegiance and active journey to endorse his leadership. It points to David's growing influence and the recognition of his divine mandate. This gathering shows that David did not seize power through force alone but was affirmed by a significant portion of Israel's populace.
- in Hebron: (Hebrew: בְּחֶבְרוֹן - `be-Hevron`). Hebron was a strategic ancient city, important as the burial place of the patriarchs and David's initial capital for Judah. Its selection as the rallying point for all Israel to anoint David underscored its historical significance and marked a pivotal moment in the unification of the tribes under a single king.
- to turn the kingdom of Saul over to him: (Hebrew: לְהָסֵב אֶת מַמְלֶכֶת שָׁאוּל אֵלָיו - `lehasev et mamleket Sha’ul ’elav`, "to cause to turn over the kingdom of Saul to him"). This clarifies the precise purpose of their assembly: a decisive transfer of power. The language emphasizes a deliberate, comprehensive handover of sovereignty from one lineage (Saul's) to another (David's). It signifies more than merely offering allegiance; it implies participating in a foundational act of political and theological transition.
- according to the word of the Lord: (Hebrew: כְּפִי אֵדָמָר יְהוָה - `ke-fi e-da'mar YHVH`, "according to the mouth/word of Yahweh"). This is the theological anchor of the entire verse and, indeed, the chronicler's narrative. It elevates the historical events beyond human ambition or political expediency, asserting them as the direct fulfillment of divine prophecy and intention. This phrase signifies divine causality, asserting that David's kingship was not achieved by mere human power but was divinely ordained and orchestrated. It connects directly to earlier prophecies about Saul's rejection and David's election (e.g., 1 Sam 13:14, 15:28, 16:1).
- "divisions of the armed men who came to David": This phrase highlights the organized, military nature of David's support, coming from various groups to establish him as the national leader. It's a demonstration of broad, active commitment.
- "turn the kingdom of Saul over to him, according to the word of the Lord": This specific combination of actions and divine decree forms the core message. It emphasizes that the transition of power was a preordained, deliberate, and God-initiated act. Human agents (the armed men) were instrumental, but the ultimate authority and driving force was God's prophetic word. This group of words underscores God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms and the fulfillment of His divine plan for David's throne.
1 Chronicles 12 23 Bonus section
The Chronicler, writing to a post-exilic community, deeply emphasizes God's faithfulness to His covenant with David. This verse perfectly serves that agenda by presenting David's rise to power not as a result of political cunning or military strength alone, but as a direct outcome of God's specific promise. By focusing on the "word of the Lord," the Chronicler subtly provides comfort and assurance to a people who may have doubted God's promises amidst their own subjugation. The unified assembly in Hebron symbolizes the restoration of Israel's spiritual unity under God's chosen king, serving as a historical precedent for God's ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant through the Messiah.
1 Chronicles 12 23 Commentary
1 Chronicles 12:23 is a foundational verse that establishes the divine legitimacy of David's kingship. It encapsulates the core message of the Chronicler regarding David's reign: that it was not a usurpation, but a direct fulfillment of God's word. The detailed enumeration of mighty warriors that follows in the chapter is not just a military roster, but evidence of the comprehensive and unified support that coalesced around David, all divinely orchestrated. The act of "turning the kingdom of Saul over to him" emphasizes a deliberate, divinely sanctioned transfer of authority, demonstrating God's sovereign control over nations and their leaders. This serves as a reminder that God raises up and removes kings according to His eternal purpose. For believers, this highlights the principle that God's plan will always prevail, even amidst human complexities and power struggles.